STAND. COM. REP. NO. 134

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1006

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1006 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to use culturally sensitive, family strengthening diversion and other supportive services by clarifying that placement of a child in the care of relatives and friends is an alternative to the Department of Human Services' assumption of custody of the child.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services; Catholic Charities Hawaii; Family Programs Hawaii; the Partners in Development Foundation; the Kokua Council; and five individuals.  The Judiciary submitted comments on this measure.  Copies of written testimony are available for review on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that the federal Child and Family Services Review of Hawaii's child welfare system recommended that the State implement culturally sensitive and family strengthening diversion practices as an alternative to the Department of Human Services' assumption of custody.  It is a local custom for children to be cared for by relatives and friends.  Your Committee finds that permitting children to be placed in the homes of relatives and friends will protect against the unnecessary placement of a child in the Department's custody and will preserve the child's relationships with his or her family, friends, and community.

     Your Committee acknowledges the comments submitted by the Judiciary and urges the Department of Human Services to include in implementing this measure, the requirements that a caretaker provide notice to the Department of Human Services when they intend to return the child and the powers of attorney be in place.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1006 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair